Mazda just teased a new rotary-powered sports car

Digital Trends Mazda has announced that it will showcase a new sports car concept at the Tokyo Motor Show, and the Japanese automaker is spurring our enthusiasm with an official teaser.

The concept will reportedly be a rotary-powered model, suggesting the brand will produce either an RX-8 successor or a range-topping RX-9.

Mazda's teaser image doesn't reveal much beyond the fact that its concept will be a coupe.

The teaser was accompanied by a statement saying that the car, "clearly embodies the carmaker's lineage." Mazda will also bring a 967 Cosmo Sport 110S, the automaker's first mass-production rotary model, further hinting that the concept will use the same powertrain type.

We've known for several months now that Mazda has dedicated engineering resources to rotary engine development, and this could be the first fruits of their labors.

"Designers strove to condense the company's sports car history to as great a degree as possible into this concept. Mazda is also highlighting the brand's unique approach to the joy of driving."

Mazda has claimed that it would not produce a rotary-engined model until it can match the standards of 'conventional' engines in terms of reliability and efficiency. The Japanese automaker has also experimented with using rotary engines as range extenders for hybrid systems.

Should the concept preview the next generation RX-8, a production version scheduled for sale in 2018 would align with the brand's 40th anniversary of the original RX-7. As a reminder, the RX-8 was discontinued in 2012 as emissions standards became more strict.

In addition to a new RX-8, Mazda may be working on the rumored RX-7 successor (which could go by the RX-9 moniker) to sit as a halo model atop the brand's sports car range.